With the Chevy Volt due to hit American dealerships in late 2010/early 2011, be prepared to hear the terms extended range electric vehicle and plug-in series hybrid used quite frequently. But what do these terms mean? CNET Australia explains.

After a little more than three years on the market, the plug-in hybrid Volt is approaching 60,000 units sold. Is that enough momentum to compete with the mind share of the Prius and Tesla? We ask General Motors.